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Youth Violence Essay | Essay on Youth Violence for Students and Children in English

February 13, 2024 by Prasanna

Youth Violence Essay:  Youth Violence is escalating quickly and is becoming one of the major concerns all over the world nowadays. At home, outside, schoolyard, and everywhere in the community, frequent youth violence can be found.

One of the major questions that should arise in every individual’s mind is that what is the major cause that youth nowadays is becoming so violent and is there any way to stop this uprising trend. Youth violence should not be taken lightly as it is a very serious issue, and many aspects donate to youth violence such as negative media, domestic violence and gangs.

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Long and Short Essays on Youth Violence for Students and Kids in English

We are providing students with essay samples on a long essay of 500 words and a short essay of 150 words on the topic Youth Violence for reference.

Long Essay on Youth Violence 500 Words in English

Long Essay on Youth Violence Essay is usually given to classes 7, 8, 9, and 10.

Youth is something that should have no association with the term violence. Yet, in this era, youth violence is becoming very ordinary. The third leading cause of deaths in teens and children is youth violence.

Moreover, those individuals who have faced youth violence often face resulting in sensitive struggles. If a child or teen have faced violence before, or have bad grades or if they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they might have a risk of showing violence. ‘Violence’ is mostly seen as physical harm rather than the harm caused by words.

Bullying via social media platforms, spreading rumours or simply being a bystander and indirectly helping youth violence is also counted as youth violence. Either physically or emotionally hurting a teen by another teen is considered as youth violence.

Many of the schools have yet to take any actions against the growing epidemic of violence in youths. Due to negative home lives, negativity in school and also due to violent video games teen bullying in school is increasing day by day and as a result teen suicide is also increasing. The strongest or meanest youth in the school is the most influential according to the youths due to which they are afraid to cross path with that particular student.

If preventive measures against these sorts of violence are not established in schools as soon as possible youths learn that acting negatively will give them positive outcomes and more cases of youth violence will start to take place. Nowadays, youth are constantly surrounded by acts of violence in movies and series, which generates two common effects in them, which are imitation and fear.

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Psychological experts believe that children are acting out what they see, which is due to the constant exposure of violent acts from their primary role models, video games. Unless parents and teachers take both responsibility and time to teach youths respectful values, they will only learn coping skills, problem-solving and conflicting resolutions from video role models.

Another major problem due to which youth violence arises is gangs as many youths are parts gangs which comes with bad influences. The teens want others to see them as someone to be feared due to which they join a gang. To join a cool gang, they either have fought and are always prepared to do things which are very dangerous for them without even thinking about the results. Some teens seek comfort, thinking they are alone in this world except for the gang members.

The list of contributing factors for youth violence keeps going on and is never-ending. So the only thing any community can do to prevent youth violence is enlarged, not just one individual, but the whole society has to shoulder the responsibility together. The society can limit the video games and games that have many violent scenes and parents should always have a lookout for their kids so that they do not depend on such violent method to cope up with any situation. There should be more awareness programs broadcasted on television that can teach children and teens the hazards of violence and can gain their attention without the requirement of violence and other objectional materials.

Short Essay on Youth Violence 150 Words in English

Short Essay on Youth Violence Essay is usually given to classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Youth violence can be explained as violence from an early stage of life and continuing that violence till a later stage of life. Youth violence can start with physical and mental harm to another youth and escalate up to mild crimes and homicide.

If a youth, including child or teen, grows up with an unhealthy family, he or she may grow into a violent person. Many children watch their parents being violent in their own home due to which their young minds learn to imitate it and do the same to those who are weaker than them.

Families should keep their children away from such an unhealthy environment and teach them about how to behave and love other individuals. Suppose the youths don’t learn these lessons from their parents.

In that case, they will never understand the value of a healthy environment, and they will think that all relationships are always full of violence due to which they also will try to communicate with people violently which will lead up to crimes.

10 Lines on Youth Violence Essay in English

1. A matter of concern for this generation and worries for parents and government is the growth of youth violence. 2. Youth violence has increased so much that nowadays, youths are ready to kill someone at the spur of the moment. 3. The reason for such impulsive killing can be either jealousy directed towards someone or maybe hatred towards someone who spoke ill of them. 4. The youth violence is growing slowly and reaching to such levels where the youths don’t even blink and even attack their teachers. 5. The influencers for youth violence can be identified as violent movies and television series or in some cases, unhealthy home life. 6. The violence has reached unthinkable heights as some youngsters even start fighting on streets and public places. 7. Sometimes police forces arrive at the scene of violence, but they are not afraid of them and act violently towards them too. 8. The violent nature of some youth starts from their home and stay with them for their whole life. 9. Only by their parents and teachers guidance can this increment in youth violence be decreased. 10. Government laws, teenager awareness programs and psychological counselling should be introduced to prevent this type of violence in youths.

FAQ’s on Youth Violence Essay

Question 1. What are some examples of youth violence?

Answer: Youth violence includes:

  • Sexual abuse or violence
  • Teen dating violence
  • Physical assault

Question 2.  Can youth violence affect your life? How?

Answer: The risk of mental and behavioural health difficulties which includes violent delegacy and victimization in future, substance use, depression, academic difficulties, smoking, dropping out of school, obesity, high-risk sexual behaviour and suicide.

Question 3. What are the age group that is considered the most violent?

Answer: Although most violent crimes are committed by adults aged 25 years and older, a huge population of young adults or youths ageing 18 to 24 years faces a higher risk of victimization or crime arrest.

Question 4. Explain the term ‘serious youth violence’.

Answer: Any offence of weapon enabled crime or serious violence, where the victim’s age is 1-19 years including crimes like manslaughter, rape, wounding with the intent of serious bodily harm or murder is defined as Serious Youth Violence.

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Essay on Youth Violence

Students are often asked to write an essay on Youth Violence in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Youth Violence

Understanding youth violence.

Youth violence is a serious issue affecting many societies. It involves young people hurting peers who are unrelated and who they may or may not know well.

Causes of Youth Violence

Violence can stem from various factors like family problems, substance abuse, or exposure to violent media. It is important to understand these causes to prevent such incidents.

Effects of Youth Violence

Youth violence can lead to physical injury, mental health issues, and even death. It also impacts communities, increasing fear and reducing the quality of life.

Preventing Youth Violence

Prevention involves education, building safe environments, and providing youth with the tools they need to resolve conflicts peacefully.

250 Words Essay on Youth Violence

Introduction.

Youth violence is a pressing social issue that has profound implications for public health and social stability. It is characterized by various harmful behaviors among young people, typically involving physical harm, threats, or intimidation.

Root Causes

The roots of youth violence are complex and multifaceted, often rooted in socio-economic disparities, family dysfunction, and exposure to violence. In many instances, youth violence is a manifestation of the social, economic, and psychological stresses that young people face.

Implications

The implications of youth violence are far-reaching. It not only affects the physical and mental health of the victims but also impacts their educational attainment and future prospects. Moreover, it contributes to a cycle of violence, perpetuating a culture of aggression and fear.

Prevention Strategies

Preventing youth violence requires a comprehensive approach that addresses its root causes. This includes socio-economic interventions to alleviate poverty and inequality, educational programs to foster empathy and conflict resolution skills, and mental health services to address psychological issues.

In conclusion, youth violence is a complex problem that requires multifaceted solutions. By understanding its root causes and implications, society can develop effective strategies to prevent it and create a safer, more inclusive environment for all young people.

500 Words Essay on Youth Violence

Introduction: the scope of youth violence, the underlying causes of youth violence.

Youth violence is a multifaceted issue with roots in various socio-economic, familial, and individual factors. Socio-economic inequality, for instance, creates an environment where violence can thrive. Youths from disadvantaged backgrounds may resort to violence as a means of survival or as a manifestation of their frustration and anger towards the systemic disparity.

Family dynamics also play a critical role in shaping a young person’s propensity towards violence. Exposure to domestic violence, child abuse, or neglect can normalize aggression, and young individuals may replicate these violent behaviors in their interactions with peers.

The Impact of Youth Violence

The impact of youth violence extends beyond the immediate harm to the victim. It can lead to long-term physical and psychological trauma, affecting a person’s ability to lead a healthy, productive life. For the perpetrators, involvement in violent activities can lead to a cycle of crime and incarceration, limiting their opportunities for education and employment.

At a societal level, youth violence can perpetuate a culture of fear and hostility, hampering community development and social cohesion. The economic costs are also significant, with resources being diverted towards law enforcement, healthcare, and rehabilitation services.

Family-focused interventions, including parenting programs and domestic violence prevention initiatives, can help create a nurturing home environment. Mental health services and substance abuse programs can address individual risk factors, while community-based initiatives can foster a culture of non-violence and mutual respect.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

Youth violence is a pressing issue that demands collective action. By understanding its causes and impacts, we can develop comprehensive strategies to prevent it. Investing in our youth is investing in our future. Therefore, it is imperative to provide them with the tools and opportunities they need to grow into responsible, non-violent adults.

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Youth violence

  • Worldwide over 176 000 homicides occur among youth 15–29 years of age each year, which is 37% of the total number of homicides globally each year.
  • Homicide is the third leading cause of death in people aged 15–29 years, and the vast majority of homicides involve male victims.
  • For each young person killed, many more sustain injuries requiring hospital treatment.
  • When it is not fatal, youth violence has a serious, often lifelong, impact on a person's physical, psychological and social functioning.

Youth violence refers to violence that occurs among individuals aged 10–29 years who are unrelated and who may or may not know each other. It generally takes place outside of the home. It includes a range of acts from bullying, both offline and online, and physical fighting, to more severe sexual and physical assault, gang-related violence or homicide. Youth violence results in deaths, injuries, disability and long-term health consequences including mental health problems and increased health-risk behaviours, which can lead to chronic diseases. It is further associated with higher rates of school-dropouts, negative impacts on cognitive development and opportunities to contribute to their communities.

Scope of the problem

Worldwide an estimated 176 000 homicides occur among young people between 15–29 years of age each year, making it the third leading cause of death for people in this age group. Youth homicide rates vary dramatically between and within countries. Between 2000–2019, rates of youth homicide decreased in most countries, although the decrease has been greater in high-income countries than in low- and middle-income countries. The majority of youth homicide victims are males, and most perpetrators are males too.

For every young person killed by violence, more sustain injuries that require hospital treatment. Firearm attacks end more often in fatal injuries than assaults that involve fists, feet, knives and blunt objects.

Sexual violence also affects a significant proportion of youth. For example, 1 in 8 young people report sexual abuse.

Physical fighting and bullying are also common among young people. A study of 40 developing countries showed that an average of 42% of boys and 37% of girls were exposed to bullying.

Youth homicide and non-fatal violence not only contribute greatly to the global burden of premature death, injury and disability, but also have a serious, often lifelong, impact on a person's psychological and social functioning. This can affect victims' families, friends and communities. Youth violence increases the costs of health, welfare and criminal justice services; reduces productivity; decreases the value of property.

Risk factors within the individual

  • attention deficit, hyperactivity, conduct disorder, or other behavioural disorders
  • early involvement with alcohol, drugs and tobacco
  • low intelligence and educational achievement
  • low commitment to school and school failure
  • involvement in crime
  • unemployment
  • exposure to violence in the family.

Risk factors within close relationships (family, friends, intimate partners and peers)

  • poor monitoring and supervision of children by parents
  • harsh, lax or inconsistent parental disciplinary practices
  • a low level of attachment between parents and children
  • low parental involvement in children's activities
  • parental substance abuse or criminality
  • parental depression
  • low family income
  • unemployment in the family
  • associating with delinquent peers and/or gang membership.

Risk factors within the community and wider society

  • access to and misuse of alcohol
  • access to and misuse of firearms
  • gangs and a local supply of illicit drugs
  • high income inequality
  • the quality of a country’s governance (its laws and the extent to which they are enforced, as well as policies for education and social protection).

Promising prevention programmes include:

  • life skills and social development programmes designed to help children and adolescents manage anger, resolve conflict, and develop the necessary social skills to solve problems;
  • whole school approaches to violence prevention in educational facilities;
  • programmes that support parents and teach positive parenting skills;
  • preschool programmes that provide children with academic and social skills at an early age;
  • therapeutic approaches for youths at high risk of being involved in violence;
  • reducing access to alcohol;
  • interventions to reduce the harmful use of drugs;
  • restrictive firearm licensing;
  • community and problem-oriented policing; and
  • interventions to reduce concentrated poverty and to upgrade urban environments.

Preventing youth violence requires a comprehensive approach that recognizes the strong correlation between rates of youth violence and economic inequalities. The most impoverished sectors of societies, marked by significant wealth gaps between the rich and the poor, consistently exhibit the highest rates of youth violence. Economic disparities exacerbate frustration and despair among disadvantaged youth, leading to an environment where violence becomes a common outlet. To achieve sustainable prevention gains, it is important to address income inequality, increase economic mobility, and enhance access to education, social protection and employment opportunities.

Preventing youth violence requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the social determinants of violence, such as income inequality, rapid demographic and social change, and low levels of social protection.

Critical to reducing the immediate consequences of youth violence are improvements in pre-hospital and emergency care, including access to care.

WHO response

WHO and partners decrease youth violence through initiatives that help to identify, quantify and respond to the problem, these include:

  • drawing attention to the magnitude of youth violence and the need for prevention;
  • building evidence on what works to prevent youth violence , including in the online space;
  • strengthening school-based violence prevention programmes;
  • working with Member States and all relevant sectors to prevent youth violence and strengthen responses to it; and
  • advocating for the integration of evidence-based prevention strategies to prevent youth violence in adolescent and youth health initiatives; and
  • collaborating with international agencies and organizations to prevent youth violence globally.
  • Preventing youth violence: an overview of the evidence
  • Handbook on school-based violence prevention
  • INSPIRE: Seven strategies for ending violence against children
  • WHO's work on youth violence
  • More on violence prevention

80 Youth Violence Essay Topics & Examples

Looking for youth violence essay topics? This issue is hot, controversial, and definitely worth exploring.

🏆 Youth Violence Essay Examples

📌 youth violence essay topics, 👍 youth aggression essay title ideas, ❓ questions about youth violence.

What are the causes of aggressive behavior and how to stop it? How to prevent violence among students? Are there any family and gender roots of youth aggression? Find the answers below. This article contains top titles and examples of youth aggression essays.

  • The Main Causes of Youth Violence Access to Guns and the Influence of the Media Shooting is one of the most common forms of youth violence, and guns are the primary weapons of perpetrators.
  • Do Violent Video Games Contribute to Youth Violence? The violence and aggression that stains the youth of today, as a result of these video games, is unquestionably a cancer that ought to be uprooted or at least contained by parents, school leaders, governments […]
  • Juvenile Justice and status offence: enforcement, sentencing and prosecution The role of the intake worker is to find the reason for the minor behavior and to determine whether the case should be dismissed, go for full trial or handle by the social worker and […]
  • Violent Video Games and How They Affect Youth Violence However, despite the overwhelming outcry against the youth playing violent video games, there are a number of researchers and advocates who oppose the idea of directly linking the exposure of young adults to violent scenes […]
  • Youth Violence in Schools Paraphrase of the above quotation: The media desensitizes violence and increases aggressive and antisocial behavior, despite this, most youths are constantly exposed to violence and gore in the virtual world which is where they spend […]
  • Implications of Youth Violence According to the fact sheet prepared by World Health Organization, youth violence presents a challenge to the global health and legal organizations because it encompasses a variety of acts that range from verbal abuse to […]
  • Media and Youth Violence First of all, it should be said that such a spread of the influence of media became possible due to the development of digital technologies. With this in mind, it is possible to state the […]
  • Youth Violence: Prevalence and Trends Failure to live up to the expectations of the society, parents, teachers, and even peers may lead to feelings of inadequacy. In order to regain this respect and get attention, the adolescents engage in violence.
  • Youth, Crime, and Violence The book has been written in defence of the hip-hop culture due to the accusations pointed at it as being the cause of gun violence in society.
  • Connection Between Child Maltreatment and Youth Violence Results: Relative to non-victims, the results of the present study are expected to show a direct link between child maltreatment and youth violence in the presence of other modifying socio-economic factors.
  • Juvenile Justice Case Management Under this model the manager in charge of implementing the treatment plan on the client is expected to have great regard for the juvenile and that such a person has an inward ability to discover […]
  • Juvenile Justice System Challenges Ignoring the facts does not change them, and whether the juvenile justice system acknowledges it or not; there are numerous challenges and unique issues facing the juvenile justice system, in the 21st century regarding the […]
  • The Main Cause of Increasing Violent Behavior Among Youths Is Violence in the Media Although the question is controversial, it is possible to state that the media promoting violent films, video games, and music is the cause for increasing violent behaviours because the media provokes the young people’s reflection […]
  • Running Head: Juvenile Justice System and Rehabilitation The children/teenagers who are sentenced by the juvenile court are not termed as guilty but as delinquent children However, the juvenile courts have the responsibility of handing over the children/teenagers to the adult court whenever […]
  • Juvenile Justice System in “Sleepers” Film by Barry Levinson This gang was at the disposal of these boys and they would join anytime they wanted hence the community pushed these juveniles to join the gang.
  • An Analysis of the Causes of Youth Violence in the United States of America
  • Youth Violence: The Problem is Not As Big As It Seems
  • The Three Main Causes Of Youth Violence
  • An Analysis of Drugs That Cause Youth Violence in America
  • Social Disorganization Theory Of Rural Youth Violence
  • Youth Violence Is Becoming An Increasingly Prominent Issue
  • The Rise of Youth Violence and Factors Contributing to the Problem
  • The Consequences Of Youth Violence In High School
  • Video Games and Youth Violence: Is There a Connection
  • Adolescent Violence And Youth Violence
  • The Importance of the Issue of Youth Violence
  • Do Violent Video Games Contribute to Youth Violence
  • Causes of Youth Violence in the Bahamas
  • The Fear of Youth Violence and the Reasons Why Many Kids Resort to Violence
  • The Effects Of Violence On Youth Violence
  • The Contributions of Media Entertainment to Youth Violence in America
  • An Analysis of the Outbreak of Youth Violence in the United States
  • Youth Violence and Age-Appropriate Interventions in the Adult Correctional System
  • Possible Solutions To The Youth Violence Problem
  • The Effects of Youth Violence in People’s Lives
  • Youth Violence: Identify The Cause And Work Towards Prevention
  • Youth Violence: Is the Media to Blame
  • Violent Video Games Do Not Contribute To Youth Violence
  • The Relationship between Video Games and Youth Violence
  • Animal Cruelty And Youth Violence
  • The Depiction of Youth Violence in Boyle’s Greasy Lake
  • The Complex Issue of Youth Violence in America
  • Youth Violence and Gang Membership in America
  • Youth Violence and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
  • Asian/Pacific Islander Youth Violence Prevention Center
  • Sociology: Columbine High School Massacre and Youth Violence
  • Youth Violence and Its Relation to Communication Theories
  • American History X And The Epidemic Of Youth Violence
  • An Argument in Favor of the Notion That Violence in Media Causes Youth Violence
  • The Problem of Youth Violence in Today’s Society
  • Preventing Youth Violence with a Strength-Based Approach
  • Impact of Youth Violence on Communities and Social Work Prevention
  • The Effect of Family Violence on Youth Violence
  • The Ending Gang And Youth Violence Policy Initiative
  • Divorce In Relation To Youth Violence
  • Do Violent Video Games and Violent Movies Contribute to Youth Violence?
  • What Is the Most Common Type of Youth Violence?
  • How Is the UK Tackling Youth Violence?
  • Has Youth Violence in the US Increased Since the 1950s?
  • What Are the Effects of Gang and Youth Violence?
  • What Are the Main Causes of Youth Violence?
  • Why Is Youth Violence a Problem?
  • How Does Youth Violence Affect Society?
  • Does Social Media Propagate Youth Violence?
  • What Has Caused Increase of Youth Violence in Our Society?
  • Can Youth Violence Be Stopped in U.S. Cities?
  • What Can We Do to Decrease Youth Violence or Mass Shootings?
  • What Are the Major Causes of Youth Violence in India?
  • How Does Youth Violence Affect Education?
  • How Does Social Media Affect Youth Violence?
  • How Is Youth Violence Experienced in China?
  • What Are Three Negative Effects of Youth Violence?
  • How Does Social Media Contribute to Youth Violence in Schools?
  • Does Canada Have the Same Level of Black Youth Violence Like in America?
  • What Are the Protective Factors of Youth Violence?
  • What Are the Mental Effects of Youth Violence?
  • What Are the Effects of Youth Violence on Individuals?
  • How Children Are Affected by Youth Violence?
  • What Are Some Major Factors That Contribute to Youth Violence in Schools?
  • What Are the Three Most Significant Risk Factors for Youth Violence?
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IvyPanda. (2023, January 24). 80 Youth Violence Essay Topics & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/youth-violence-essay-examples/

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Causes of Youth Violence

On any given day in the United States, you will find a news story about youth violence. Whether it is street violence, bullying , or a school shooting, our country's youth is plagued by violent behavior.

The American Psychological Association (APA) defines youth violence as an extreme form of aggression with the goal of physical harm, injury, or death. Examples of youth violence also include date rape , homicides, and gang violence.

For parents and educators of teens, it is important to recognize that these types of violent behaviors are prevalent. In fact, homicide is the third leading cause of death among young people ages 15 to 19 years old in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Consequently, parents and educators need to take an active part in preventing youth violence in the lives of teens. To do this, it's important to understand what causes violence among teens.

Media Influence

GeorgiaCourt / Getty Images

Research indicates that violence in the media influences teens and can cause them to act aggressively. Although it is difficult to determine whether or not violence in media leads directly to youth violence, studies have shown that playing violent video games increases aggressive thoughts and behaviors.

In fact, one study found that violent video games not only escalate aggressive behaviors. They also increase angry thoughts as well as raise the heart rate and blood pressure of participants.  

Meanwhile, these video games decrease "helping behaviors" and reduce feelings of empathy . What's more, violent video game users tend to interact with other aggressive teens, which makes them feel accepted and validated for their thoughts and feelings.

While video games often get the most attention, violence in media isn't limited to video games. Violent media also can include the Internet, television, magazines, movies, music, advertising, social media , and more. Basically, media consists of anything your teen sees, hears, or interacts with.

Communities and Neighborhoods

Where teens live can also have an impact on them and lead them to act more aggressively. The CDC points to several community risk factors for youth violence including diminished economic opportunities, high levels of crime, and socially disorganized neighborhoods.

Additionally, research shows that youth violence can become a form of "street justice" in response to the lack of police protection in some neighborhoods. When this happens, teens may attempt to secure the neighborhood by using violence as a way of bringing order to the area. As a result, youth violence often manifests as gang violence, turf wars, gun wars, and other types of violence.

When teens live in socioeconomically challenged neighborhoods, they may feel like their only option for survival is to join a gang or to engage in violence. When this line of thinking is the norm, teens are likely to act aggressively and participate in violent behaviors.

Domestic Violence and Child Abuse

Children who live with violence in the home learn by example and can become violent people as they grow up. They also are more likely to experience teen dating violence , either as a victim or an aggressor.

Other contributing factors include harsh parenting styles, along with chaos in the home, neglect, and rejection. Each of these situations can lead to youth violence later in life because of the lack of stability and structure in the home. Being violent gives teens a feeling of power and control—something they lack at home.

To combat this risk, it is important that parents consider their parenting style and make adjustments in order to reduce the likelihood of seeing violence in their teens' lives later. Educators can lend support by offering parenting workshops.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, you can get help by contacting  The National Domestic Violence Hotline.

Insufficient Parental Supervision

When parents do not provide adequate supervision, teens are prone to engage in aggressive behaviors or criminal activity. Without adult supervision, teens do not have the resources needed to make good choices or to recognize risks.

Consequently, these teens tend to make friends with the wrong people, take unnecessary risks, and experiment with things an involved parent would not allow. When parents are too permissive, their kids often have no motivation to do well in school and may even stop caring about their future.

As a whole, teenagers need fair and firm discipline and consistent interaction with and direction from their parents. When parents take an active role in their teens' lives, it reduces the likelihood of teen violence.

Peer Pressure

Peer pressure plays a pivotal role in youth violence, especially because kids are more likely to engage in risky or violent behaviors when they act as a group.   Teens who normally would not be aggressive or violent on their own often feel empowered when in a group.

Additionally, teens are more likely to be violent or aggressive when they feel pressured. They also may become violent in order to maintain their place in the group. Peer pressure can lead teens to engage in risk-taking behaviors .

Drug and Alcohol Use

Alcohol and drug use has long been associated with the risk for youth violence.   Both alcohol and drug use can increase aggression and reduce fear, which increases the likelihood of youth violence.

While teens usually engage in recreational drug and alcohol use to feel good, prolonged use of illicit drugs often brings about feelings of depression, anger, and frustration. These feelings can then lead a teen to exhibit behaviors of aggression and rage.

Traumatic Events

Dealing with traumatic events also can cause violent behavior in teens. For instance, teens who lose a friend in a car accident that they also were involved in often get angry at the fact that they were the ones that lived.

Because anger is a normal stage of grief, a violent outburst from these teens may seem justified. But, while anger is a normal emotion, it is not normal to be violent toward another person. When violence occurs, it should always be addressed.

Teens who exhibit signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be prone to violence. Violent outbursts are typically a symptom of PTSD, and if left untreated, can manifest in significantly violent situations.   For this reason, it is extremely important for teens with PTSD to get the counseling and intervention that they need.

Mental Illness

Mental illness is another cause of violence among teens.   Conditions including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and conduct disorder all have aggressive behaviors or angry feelings as common symptoms.

Teen mental illness sometimes hides behind other causes of youth violence. For instance, a teen with bipolar disorder may be using drugs. If this teen becomes violent, the drug use could hide the fact that the bipolar illness is part of the cause.

For this reason, it is important that teens engaging in violent behaviors are evaluated for a mental illness. By treating the entire person rather than just the symptoms, you are more likely to reduce the risk of additional violent outbursts.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Adolescent health .

Shao R, Wang Y. The relation of violent video games to adolescent aggression: An examination of moderated mediation effect . Front Psychol . 2019;10:384. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00384

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Risk and protective factors .

Bushman BJ, Newman K, Calvert SL, et al. Youth violence: What we know and what we need to know .  Am Psychol . 2016;71(1):17‐39. doi:10.1037/a0039687

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preventing teen dating violence .

Boston Children's Hospital. Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms & causes .

By Denise Witmer Denise Witmer is a freelance writer and mother of three children, who has authored several books and countless articles on parenting teens since 1997.

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Youth Violence

The term "youth violence" covers a broad spectrum of behaviors that can include fighting, bullying, and gang-related violence. Exposure to violence as a child can cause emotional and physical harm, including negative impacts on health and well-being that can follow a child into adulthood.

Youth violence and its diverse ramifications have long been a major challenge for American police officers, school staff, and municipal leaders. Preventing youth violence is a critical issue for many communities across the country.

Youth Violence Statistics

The number of youth arrests for violent crimes declined 67% since 2006

The estimated number of youth arrests for violent crimes, including murder, robbery, and aggravated assault, has declined since the mid-2000s, according to a fact sheet from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and the National Institute of Justice (NIJ).

According to the report, the number of violent crime arrests involving youth reached a new low in 2020 -- 78% below the 1994 peak, and half the number of arrests in 2010 (pictured).

Causes of Youth Violence

Adolescence is a common period for becoming involved in violence and gangs. In schools, gangs often engage in threats and intimidation , physical and cyberbullying, fighting, and other criminal activities that may involve drugs and weapons.

Another type of youth violence, teen dating violence , is an issue that can lead to serious short- and long-term effects. Examples of teen dating violence include physical and emotional harm and stalking. Once a teen experiences violence in one relationship, research has shown that they are at significant risk of experiencing violence in another.

Learn more about teen dating violence

Effects of Youth Violence

Spotlight on Indicator 2: Incidents of Victimization at School and Away From School

The impact of violence in schools extends beyond the individuals directly involved. It can also disrupt the education process and negatively affect youth and adults in the school and the surrounding community.

Research has shown that youth who experience or perpetrate violence at school are more likely to bully others -- both in school or in other situations outside of the classroom.

Youth who witness or experience violence in their community are also more likely to use drugs and alcohol and become involved in violence themselves.

Young victims of crime are generally underserved , and the systems responsible for caring for them can be fragmented and ineffective. The Office for Victims of Crime is committed to improving services for all victims of crime, including those exposed to different forms of violence.

How To Prevent Youth Violence

Research supported by OJJDP analyzed interventions to reduce youth gun and group violence . The study found that the most effective programs used case management and services, enhanced surveillance, outreach workers, and public perception campaigns.

Mentoring programs are another potentially beneficial component of youth gang violence intervention. For youth impacted by or involved with gangs, mentors can help them navigate challenges in life and achieve positive life outcomes.

In fiscal year 2021, OJJDP awarded nearly $23 million under the Youth Violence Intervention Initiative to address youth violence and provide services for children exposed to violence.

Since 2022, OJJDP has awarded nearly $47 million through the  Enhancing School Safety To Address Youth Violence initiative to support schools and community-based organizations to address violence by youth.

Through the CrimeSolutions website, NIJ reviews programs and practices designed to prevent violence and provide services to those impacted by crime. The CrimeSolutions site includes information about a variety of topics , including crime in schools , youth gangs , and youth violence victimization .

April 24-28, 2023, is recognized as National Youth Violence Prevention Week . Founded in 2001, National Youth Violence Prevention Week allows communities to raise awareness and learn how to prevent youth violence to make schools and neighborhoods safer.

More on Youth Violence from OJP

Visit the following pages for additional information and resources produced or sponsored by the Office of Justice Programs and other federal agencies:

‘Young people experience violence daily – and our ideas for change will save lives’ 

Sharing her experiences as a peer researcher, Annais Naylor Guerrero says fixing youth violence means urgently addressing mistrust in our broken system.

‘No weapons, no balaclavas, no vapes. Thank you’ read A4 posters on the youth club walls in Lambeth, South London.

This is an area grappling with significant youth violence – and I was there to talk with young people about their experiences and hear their views. It’s a sensitive subject. And we were meeting in a room where someone had once been fatally stabbed.

‘Little faith and no trust’

That was a year ago. Since then, more than 4,600 10- to 20-year-olds across England and Wales have participated in research for the Peer Action Collective (PAC) project , sharing their experiences of violence, and their frustration at a system in which they have little faith. A system they feel doesn’t listen, and that they don’t trust. It’s hard to argue, especially in Lambeth, where the Metropolitan Police Force that exits to protect them has been deemed institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic – and given that part of the report evaluates how identity affects young people’s experiences of violence by race, gender and sexuality.

Published this week, Leading research, driving change shares sombre insights into youth violence, which come directly from young people themselves. With quotes and anecdotes, it explores the impact of violence linked to social deprivation, social and familial relationships, online spaces, and experiences of institutions including education and the police. It uncovers the impact of violence on young people as both perpetrators and victims. Importantly, the report also shares young people’s ideas for change, suggesting initiatives that could leave a positive legacy, and insights into how individuals steered away from youth violence, no matter how far along the path they were.

Shared experience

The report gained these insights because it wasn’t led by ‘traditional’ researchers, but by peer researchers like me; people aged 16 to 25, with our own experiences and intimate knowledge of the subject at hand. We were able to engage in a way that others have not, shrinking the distance towards understanding. For example, in Lambeth, my fellow peer researchers and I knew that many of the young people engaged in the research, like us, had to consider violence daily. We knew how, as they made their way to the youth club that morning, they weighed every decision carefully, from the clothes they wore, to the path they walked and who they walked it with, to the time they left their house, and the belongings they took with them.

Aidan, 19, was the most reluctant to speak with me, despite my repeated assurances (“No, I’m not with the police”; “Yes, it’s all confidential”). I was a stranger, yet I was asking him to trust me as much as he trusted his closest friends. “I won’t ask silly questions,” I promised. Could a ‘typical’ researcher give him that assurance – or provide the space to speak freely, with slang, entirely unrestricted?

The 10 minutes Aidan promised me became 20, then 40, until we’d spoken for an hour. His insight was powerful and carried a feeling of hopelessness. Youth violence “is an experience everyone has had, is having, or will have. And yeah, I feel it’s inevitable, I’ll be real”. This was a majority view amongst the young people I spoke with. Yet as hundreds came to take part in our local research, Aiden softened. “This whole thing is kind of beautiful, […] people need to know that it’s not just a darker path that awaits you.” Later, as we wrapped up, he admitted, “This is kind of nice, you know”. He said he hadn’t spoken about youth violence to anyone beyond his closest friends.

Realistic solutions for positive change

Meanwhile, policies and strategies are created and interventions implemented to ‘solve’ the issues of youth violence. Yet nearly everyone we spoke with said they’d never had the opportunity to reflect on their experiences, much less have a say in decisions about their lives. Like Aidan, many said it felt good to talk about their issues, address the disconnect, and voice their ideas with the hope that they might be realised through a youth-led approach.

Some 4,608 young people entrusted PAC with their experiences and opinions, and many did so with hope of having an impact that could save lives. This wasn’t tokenistic. My team and I co-created the Lambeth PAC manifesto with local young people, which is full of realistic solutions that are already influencing change and strategy in the area through meetings with MPs, councillors, and funders. Another six social action projects, guided by the manifesto, are also underway.

Aidan said, all too often, people hear a story and move on without doing anything. But I’ve seen that when young people are empowered and supported, they produce insightful research and inspire social action. Young people are the experts of their own experiences, so when it comes to addressing their vulnerability to and perpetration of violence, they must be directly involved in shaping solutions.

Annais Naylor Guerrero is a Peer Researcher with Lambeth PAC and an Intern with The Young Foundation

Photo by Eric Ward on Unsplash

Criminal justice Education & Employment Families & Youth Peer research Systems change Posted on: 4 April 2023 Authors: Annais Naylor Guerrero ,

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Youth Violence: Addressing The Issue and Seeking Solutions

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School interventions offer best shot at reducing youth violence

by Laura Voith, The Conversation

high school

Black youth show up in emergency rooms with gunshot wounds or other violent injuries at an alarming and disproportionate rate in the United States. Some hospitals have violence interventions that can be effective in keeping these kids safer after they are treated, but in most cases victims are sent back into the world to continue their struggles.

What if there were a way to prevent these kids from ending up in that hospital room in the first place? What if, years earlier, we could identify factors that predict which children are most likely to head down paths to violence?

I'm a social scientist focused on this question, and my research has led me to an answer that I believe is at once obvious and profound: Find these children early in public schools and help them then and there.

The study I led provides evidence that kids who grow up in poverty—or who are referred to child protective services—are significantly more likely to become victims of violence when they become teenagers.

A unique study with unusual access to information

To do our study, my team looked at records for 429 Black youths who had been sent to the ER for gunshot wounds or injuries from severe assaults over a one-year period. They included hospital, child protective service and juvenile court records, among others.

This was made possible because the Center on Urban Poverty and Community Development at Case Western Reserve University keeps troves of identifiable records on each of the 700,000 children who live in Cleveland. The records include information from more than 30 administrative agencies.

This rare resource allowed us to follow the life path of these young people from birth all the way to their arrival at emergency rooms with their injuries. The children ranged in age from 5 to 16 but averaged about 12.

We compared this study group with a control group of 5,000 youths who were not victims of gunfire or assault in that year but who grew up in the same neighborhoods and were similar in race, age and gender as the injured group.

As a result, we built a sophisticated picture of the childhood experiences that lead to violent injuries for low-income Black youths. Our objective was to find points of potential intervention.

Juvenile delinquency is not the most important predictor

Two factors that figure prominently in the backgrounds of violently injured youth are kids who have had interactions with both the juvenile court and child protection systems. Studies have shown they are at the highest risk of eventually suffering a violent injury, so a large portion of public resources go to addressing these children. In our study, victims of violence were four times more likely to be involved with juvenile court than noninjured youth in the control group.

Yet kids who endured both factors are also a minority of the youths in our study who were violently injured. In fact, 75% of violently injured youths fell into two other groups. One was those who attend public school and had received public assistance in early life. The other was those who attended public school and had been involved in the child welfare system before they were 5.

Kids and teens in our study who ended up in the emergency room by age 13 as victims of violence were nearly three times more likely have been in foster care by age 4 compared to noninjured kids in our control group. Likewise, injured kids were twice as likely to have lived in a homeless shelter by age 7. And violently injured kids were chronically absent from school at rates 1.5 times higher than non-injured kids.

That is an important revelation. It shows that poverty and domestic problems loom larger than interactions with juvenile courts in foretelling eventual violent injury.

Public schools are the common denominator

School is where we can identify these children in their high-risk groups. To be clear, going to public school is not itself a risk factor; it's just an opportune situation to help them. It's an ideal place because it is both a compulsory and, ideally, a nonthreatening environment.

Still, there are important barriers to doing this effectively. In the best-case scenario, public schools could provide special attention to students whose families have been on public assistance or investigated by child protective services as early as age 5. But to do so, they—or whichever agency is in a position to help—would need information from individual records that are often private and unavailable.

In Cleveland, much of this information is being integrated by Case Western and available to us as researchers on grounds we do not divulge details that could identify a specific child or family. Child protection services records in particular are almost always confidential and unavailable to anyone not directly involved in a particular case without a court order.

What can be done

Those privacy safeguards are important but not insurmountable. At least one community, Allegheny County in Pennsylvania, has found a way to identify families in need that has proven effective.

Communities that don't have access to integrated data like Allegheny's model can instead use school screening questionnaires that strike a balance between getting information and permitting families a level of privacy about what they share.

These youths are reachable long before they show up in the ER. Our research tells us where to find them.

Provided by The Conversation

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  1. The Main Causes of Youth Violence Essay

    Young people who commit acts of violence are strongly influenced by their background, personal traits, access to guns, and the coverage of abuse in the media. At the same time, these reasons also apply to the youth who experienced violence. The two main effects of youth violence are the dissemination of abuse across social and health problems ...

  2. Youth Violence Essay

    10 Lines on Youth Violence Essay in English. 1. A matter of concern for this generation and worries for parents and government is the growth of youth violence. 2. Youth violence has increased so much that nowadays, youths are ready to kill someone at the spur of the moment. 3.

  3. Essay on Youth Violence

    500 Words Essay on Youth Violence Introduction: The Scope of Youth Violence. Youth violence is a global public health problem that inflicts heavy social and economic costs on societies. It is a term that encompasses a range of aggressive behaviors including bullying, physical fighting, sexual violence, and gang-related violence.

  4. Youth violence

    Youth violence results in deaths, injuries, disability and long-term health consequences including mental health problems and increased health-risk behaviours, which can lead to chronic diseases. It is further associated with higher rates of school-dropouts, negative impacts on cognitive development and opportunities to contribute to their ...

  5. Youth Violence Essay

    Violence in Youth. Introduction Youth violence is defined as violent behaviour that begins early in life and continues throughout subsequent stages of life. Youth violence may include physical and emotional harm, and minor crimes, escalating to murder (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013). Youth are recognized as being between the ...

  6. 80 Youth Violence Essay Topics & Examples

    Youth Violence: Prevalence and Trends. Failure to live up to the expectations of the society, parents, teachers, and even peers may lead to feelings of inadequacy. In order to regain this respect and get attention, the adolescents engage in violence. Youth, Crime, and Violence.

  7. Causes of Youth Violence

    Examples of youth violence also include date rape, homicides, and gang violence. For parents and educators of teens, it is important to recognize that these types of violent behaviors are prevalent. In fact, homicide is the third leading cause of death among young people ages 15 to 19 years old in the United States, according to the Centers for ...

  8. PDF Youth Violence: What We Know and What We Need to Know

    Two Distinct Types of Youth Gun Violence. Violent rampage shootings in schools differ in dramatic ways from street shootings (or "street violence") commonly associated with U.S. inner cities. Table 1 summarizes major descriptive differences between these two types of youth violence, which will be discussed further.

  9. Youth Violence

    The estimated number of youth arrests for violent crimes, including murder, robbery, and aggravated assault, has declined since the mid-2000s, according to a fact sheet from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and the National Institute of Justice (NIJ).. According to the report, the number of violent crime arrests involving youth reached a new low in 2020 -- 78% ...

  10. Youths and Violence: Changing the Narrative

    A dominant narrative in the United States considers violence primarily a problem of personal responsibility. 5 In terms of youth violence, this results in dominant narratives that conjure images of youth as aggressors, troublemakers, or predators, concealing that youth are children with still-developing brains, some of whom have been adversely impacted by extensive or prolonged stress. 1 ...

  11. What Works in Violence Prevention Among Young People?: A Systematic

    Eleven reviews and meta-analyses reported moderate to large effects, while four meta-analyses and reviews showed small but significant effects on youth violence-related outcomes. Zych et al. (2015) reported on 66 reviews of programs targeting bullying and cyberbullying, concluding that programs were effective in reducing perpetration and ...

  12. 'Young people experience violence daily

    It uncovers the impact of violence on young people as both perpetrators and victims. Importantly, the report also shares young people's ideas for change, suggesting initiatives that could leave a positive legacy, and insights into how individuals steered away from youth violence, no matter how far along the path they were. Shared experience

  13. PDF Preventing youth violence: an overview of the evidence

    Youth violence definition, prevalence and consequences 4 Definitions: youth violence in context 5 Youth violence: magnitude, distribution and consequences 6 Homicide 6 Non-fatal youth violence 7 Youth receiving hospital emergency treatment for violence-related injuries 7 Self-reported victimization and perpetration 7 ...

  14. Essays on Youth Violence

    Abuse, Elementary and primary schools, Self-esteem, Verbal abuse, Victim blaming, Victimisation. 1 2. Absolutely FREE essays on Youth Violence. All examples of topics, summaries were provided by straight-A students. Get an idea for your paper.

  15. Violence Among Teenagers: [Essay Example], 798 words

    Violence among teenagers has become a growing concern for parents, educators, and the community at large. The media is inundated with stories of teenage violence, from school shootings to gang-related incidents. This trend has raised important questions about the root causes of such behavior and what can be done to address it.

  16. Violence Prevention

    Homicide is the third leading cause of death for youth in the United States. 2 In 2016, more than 530,000 young people ages 10-24 were treated in emergency departments for injuries sustained from violence. 3. Youth violence typically involves young people hurting other peers. It can take different forms.

  17. Help Stop Youth Violence

    An initiative of the National Campaign to Stop Violence, Do the Write Thing (DtWT) is a writing program for middle school students that positions them as community catalysts as they examine the root causes and impact of youth violence. Students write, we listen. Learn more.

  18. What Can I Do About Youth Violence? 5 Things To Know

    12 victims of youth violence die from homicide every day. Over 1,600 victims of youth violence are treated for their injuries every day. These homicide rates and violent crime statistics are alarming. For many young people, especially those from minority and disadvantaged communities, violence is not an abstract idea. It is a daily threat.

  19. School interventions offer best shot at reducing youth violence

    Black youth show up in emergency rooms with gunshot wounds or other violent injuries at an alarming and disproportionate rate in the United States. Some hospitals have violence interventions that ...

  20. Causes Of Youth Violence Essay

    Most common youth violence are Bullying in schools, School Shootings, Childhood abuse, Suicide, Poor parenting, Pressure, Violent Tv shows, Media, the internet, social media, Violent games and much more. Youth violence can be found at schools, home, our neighborhoods and all over the places. Teen violence has made an impact causing many ...

  21. Youth Violence: Addressing the Issue and Seeking Solutions: [Essay

    Some of the causes of youth violence are cyberbullying or even something you watch on TV. Also, youth violence can be caused by lack of parental involvement, lack of support of parents, or history of family members who have been part of a gang or just has bad behavior. I feel like the cause of youth violence must do a lot with the children's ...

  22. Youth Violence Essay

    1223 Words. 5 Pages. 7 Works Cited. Open Document. Youth Violence. Youth violence is an escalating problem in American society today. There are many different factors that can be blamed for this problem. During the last decade of the twentieth century people began searching for answers to this dilemma which is haunting America. Many tragic ...

  23. Youth violence News, Research and Analysis

    To resolve youth violence, Canada must move beyond policing and prison. Ardavan Eizadirad, Wilfrid Laurier University. To resolve growing violence in schools, policy conversations about gun ...

  24. Youth Violence Essay

    Youth Violence Essay. Youth violence is increasing and quickly becoming one of the major concerns in American today. Frequent youth violence can be found at schoolyard, at home, outside, and everywhere in the community. Why don't people ask themselves what is making the youth today so violent, and is there anything they can do to stop this ...

  25. School interventions offer best shot at reducing youth violence

    Black youth show up in emergency rooms with gunshot wounds or other violent injuries at an alarming and disproportionate rate in the United States. Some hospitals have violence interventions that ...

  26. Local students explain their experiences with gun violence

    North Charleston Mayor Reggie Burgess, Ronald Smith and other community leaders read essays that middle and high schoolers submitted about gun violence on Friday, April 19, 2024, in North Charleston.

  27. National tribal child welfare center program grant

    GRANT FOCUS: Child Welfare, Native/Tribal Children and Youth, Native/Tribal Communities | Amount: $4,120,700 - $4,370,700 | Deadline: July 11, 2024